A Influência do “Bible Belt” Estadunidense na Política Externa dos Estados Unidos Durante o Governo de George W. Bush (2001-2009)

Abstract

This paper aims to understand the relationship between religion and politics in the US context during the administration of George W. Bush (2001-2009). The so-called "bible belt" comprises the southernmost area of the United States, a predominantly conservative and Christian region. We affirm that this region is important for the American political context besides exerting great influence in the Republican Party. Thus, the ideas of the "bible belt" have also influenced US foreign policy during George W. Bush's administration, legitimizing some of the US position on the international scene and in the structures of global governance. In this way, this work seeks to understand the degree of influence of the ideals of the "bible belt" in politics and more specifically how these ideas influenced the United States foreign policy during the George W. Bush administration (2001-2009), specially in his decision to intervene militarily in Iraq.